Secondary Progressions

Secondary progressions in astrology

Predictive Astrology – Techniques for Predicting the Future

On this Page:

Overview of Secondary Progressions

Significant Secondary Progressions

Personal Notes & Tips

General:

There are many ways that astrologers “progress” a chart. One of the most popular techniques is called “Secondary Progressions”. With this system, astrologers equate one day after birth to one year of life (the day-for-a-year method). Secondary progressions offer insight into the unfolding of our unique personalities over time.

Another way to progress a chart is by using solar arc directions, which is an extremely valuable tool as well. With this method, the chart is progressed by finding the “arc” (distance in degrees) between the progressed Sun and the natal Sun, and adding this distance in degrees to the rest of the planets and points. Because the Sun moves at a rate of almost one degree a day, this method makes it rather easy to estimate positions of progressed planets and points (the degrees of progression are roughly equivalent to the age of the individual).

Some of the most significant secondary progressions:

When the Progressed Sun Changes Sign: Depending on how long a person lives, the progressed Sun changes sign perhaps 3 times in the entire life span. The period when the progressed Sun is very late in a sign and is about to change to a new sign (this occurs for about a year) is often a rather critical year in which many changes occur. When the progressed Sun changes signs, there is usually a very clear change in a person’s general orientation and responses to his/her environment. Plenty of real-life events are possible (such as relocation, a new job in a new field, etc.), but the common theme is starting fresh“out with the old and in with the new”and a marked change in the outlook and attitudes of an individual. Before the progressed Sun changes signs, there can be some fear and dreadeven a feeling that things are being “taken” from us. Hasty and poor decisions and a sense of urgency can be characteristic of this period. (Read more about the Critical Degrees and their impact in progressions here).

The Progressed Moon — Cycle of Maturity: The progressed Moon moves through the houses of our natal chart, coming full circle in about 27-28 years. The house it is moving through represents areas of our life that come into focus. We recognize our needs in these areas more intensely, although not necessarily clearly. For example, the progressed Moon moving through the 4th house often brings with it a strong need and search for “roots” and basic life definition. Even though our natal Moon sign “reigns” over our emotional needs in a general sense, our focus shifts as the progressed Moon passes through our houses. In fact, our emotional needs seem to change or shift as the house position changes. Read more about The Progressed Moon Through the Houses (coming soon). The sign of your Progressed Moon indicates the prevailing emotional attitude of that period of time. Read more about The Progressed Moon Through the Signs. Also note that if you look into your past and determine when the progressed Moon passed over any one of the four angles in your chart (that is, the Ascendant, Midheaven, Descendant, and IC) you will see that these progressions/passages often mark rather significant times in your life. Also significant is the progression of the Moon to critical degrees, as well as Progressed Moon in Aspect to Natal Planets and Points.

The Progressed Lunation Cycle: This is the cycle from one progressed New Moon to the next (every 27-28 years). Look to the phase of the progressed Sun and progressed Moon. During the progressed New Moon phase, individuals instinctively start a new phase or chapter in their lives. The Crescent phase brings about new challenges and opportunities, as well as adjustments, that don’t always feel pleasant, to the new cycle as a purpose is not entirely clear at this point in the cycle. The First Quarter phase represents a particularly active, building stage, while the Gibbous stage presents a time of refining and fine-tuning. This makes way for the Full Moon phase, which is a time of fruition and accomplishment. This marks the beginning of the progressed waning moon phase, when some things dissolve and one begins to recognize the need to let go. The Disseminating phase is a time of sharing and literally “disseminating” that which has been learned in the waxing phase of the moon. The next phase, the Third Quarter Moon phase, marks a time of one’s life when there lies some discontent and dissatisfaction with the way one has been approaching life. This can be a somewhat confusing time, as one instinctively prepares for the final stage of the waning Moon: the Balsamic phase. During this phase, old systems begin to phase out, and there may be a desire for withdrawal and reflection.

Progressed Planets Conjuncting an Angle of the Natal Chart or Progressed Angles Conjuncting a Natal Planet or Point. These activations involving natal and progressed angles (the Ascendant and Midheaven) generally point to significant personal changes in the native’s life.

Progressed Planet Aspects: Aspects that progressed planets form to natal planets and points, as well as to other progressed planets and points.

Transits to the Progressed Planets and Points: Transits to progressed planets and angles are extremely significant, and should never be overlooked. For example, transiting Saturn may not be making any significant aspects to our natal chart, but if it is squaring our progressed Sun, we will feel its influence in our lives.

Personal Notes & Tips:

I personally find the Secondary Progressed Moon cycles through the signs and houses very important in predictive work. I use these general themes as a “backdrop” for understanding the transits.

In my experience, more than one major progression happening at approximately the same time is more likely to point to an outer event. For example, in my own life, some significant events happened as follows:

Another significant relationship began when my Solar Arc Directed Venus came conjunct to my natal Vertex. At the same time, my progressed Sun conjuncted my South Node.

Secondary progressions are symbolic. Remember that we are equating one day of life (and planetary movement) after birth to one year of the life.

For years in my astrological studies, secondary progressions did not impress me. I wanted to find meaning in them, but I simply couldn’t find a correlation between significant events and changes in my life and the secondary progressed aspects. It was not until I learned of two important “rules” before I learned their significance:

Charles E. O. Carter wrote the following: “It is a cardinal rule that no direction can bring to pass what is not shown in the nativity. Exceptions to this are virtually non-existent.” Progressions to progressions and progressions to natal positions are most significant when the planets involved form a significant interrelationship in the natal chart itself. The potential shown in the natal chart, therefore, rules.

Transits to secondary progressed planets are critical. With predictive work, students of astrology are encouraged to create a tri-wheel with the natal chart in the center, secondary progressions in the second wheel, and transits in the outer (third) wheel. This way, it is easy to see transits to both the natal chart and the progressed chart, progressed planets in relationship to the natal chart, and progressed planets in relation to other progressed planets. Adding transits to progressed planets and points to our study opens up much more detail.

So, for example, if my secondary progressed Mars is currently forming a square to my natal Venus, this may not correlate with a significant or obvious event (or series of events/changes) in my life if my natal Venus and Mars do not form an aspect. If, however, my natal Venus and Mars are in trine, it is more likely to indicate an event. If either planet receives a transit (especially from Venus or Mars themselves), it is even more likely.

Transits to progressions, therefore, act as triggers. Lunations and eclipses to progressed planets and points also act as triggers.

References & suggested further reading:

In Predictive Astrology: The Eagle and the Lark by Bernadette Brady, an illuminating chapter dedicated to progressions offers students of astrology tools to help understand the meaning of progressions in individual lives. Excellent!

In The Art of Predictive Astrology, Carol Rushman shares with readers some very valuable predictive techniques, culled from over 30 years of experience. This is a fascinating read for intermediate students of Astrology. The book contains quite a bit of information about progressions in addition to other techniques.

Details

MARCH 19
The Moon continues its transit of Aries for most of today, until 9:07 PM EDT. Mercury aligns with Venus in Aries, and we might enjoy good humor, lighthearted conversations,

Details

MARCH 19

The Moon continues its transit of Aries for most of today, until 9:07 PM EDT. Mercury aligns with Venus in Aries, and we might enjoy good humor, lighthearted conversations, sociability, and cooperation. It’s a good time to talk about or quantify our feelings and reach agreements or negotiate with others. Mentally, we’re not as disciplined as usual, as we prefer to chat with others and to think about more “pleasant” things than work. Mercury will retrograde in just three days, however, and we may later need to revisit and perhaps revise what we may communicate or decide upon today. The Moon moves into Taurus tonight, and shortly after that, harmonizes with Mars. We’re resourceful and motivated, particularly related to business, financial, mechanical, practical, and security or comfort matters.

The Moon is void from 3:29 PM EDT, with the Moon’s last aspect before changing signs (a conjunction to Uranus), until the Moon enters Taurus at 9:07 PM EDT.

Time

Details

MARCH 20
The Moon spends the day in Taurus, harmonizing with Saturn and encouraging a practical approach to our day. Even so, the Sun enters pioneering Aries today at

Details

MARCH 20

The Moon spends the day in Taurus, harmonizing with Saturn and encouraging a practical approach to our day. Even so, the Sun enters pioneering Aries today at 12:16 PM EDT, marking the time of the Spring equinox and the start of the astrological New Year. The Sun will transit Aries until April 19th. In Aries, the Sun is enthusiastic and spontaneous. We are motivated by the desire to conquer. We are impulsive, and we have the urge to initiate. Aries is a sign that bounces back quickly–there is little pause for regret with Aries. It is brave and pioneering, and somewhat innocent. We are direct and rather uncomplicated in our needs, but we can also be short-sighted and lack the desire to plan.

Time

Details

Sun enters Aries
Sun is in Aries from March 20-April 19, 2018. In Aries, the Sun is enthusiastic and spontaneous. We are motivated by the desire to conquer. We are more impulsive and have the

Details

Sun enters Aries

Sun is in Aries from March 20-April 19, 2018. In Aries, the Sun is enthusiastic and spontaneous. We are motivated by the desire to conquer. We are more impulsive and have the urge to initiate. Aries is a sign that bounces back quickly–there is little in the way of shame with Aries. It is brave and pioneering, and somewhat innocent. We are direct and rather uncomplicated in our needs, but we can also be short-sighted and lack the desire to plan ahead.

Time

Details

MARCH 21
The Moon spends the day in the sign of Taurus, and we're inclined to stick with what we know and keep things simple. Common sense tends to

Details

MARCH 21

The Moon spends the day in the sign of Taurus, and we’re inclined to stick with what we know and keep things simple. Common sense tends to rule today, save for early afternoon when the Moon opposes Jupiter and we’re tempted to go overboard to combat boredom. We tend to preserve our poise if faced with external stresses and pressures under the influence of a Taurus Moon. Earthy activities and sensual pleasures appeal now more than usual, and we find a sense of peace and contentment with that which is familiar and reliable. Finances and possessions might come into stronger focus today.

While this Moon position does tend to keep things as they are, a Uranus-Vesta trine encourages working towards progress. We may be bringing unique and exciting elements to our work. New techniques or options can emerge now. Do note that Mercury is moving towards its retrograde station, however, and we may want to save launches or brand new projects for a better time.

The Moon is void from 1:21 PM EDT, with the Moon’s last aspect before changing signs (an opposition to Jupiter), until the Moon enters Gemini the next day, Thursday, March 22nd, at 1:30 AM EDT.

Time

Details

Venus enters Taurus
Venus is in Taurus from March 31-April 24. In Taurus, Venus is very sensual (naturally), content, and possessive. We seek security and value that which lasts. Our appetite for pleasure is

Details

Venus enters Taurus

Venus is in Taurus from March 31-April 24. In Taurus, Venus is very sensual (naturally), content, and possessive. We seek security and value that which lasts. Our appetite for pleasure is strong. Taurus values the here and the now as well as the world of the five senses. Tangible and physical expressions of love and romance are most important now. Holding on to someone we love is our tendency under Venus in Taurus. The shadow side of this is excessive possessiveness and treating our partners as objects that we own or want to own. On the financial side, Venus in Taurus looks for high-quality, solid, practical, and long-lasting items. Holding on to our possessions is more likely now.

Time

Details

Jupiter forms a sextile to Pluto
Jupiter at 21º Scorpio 16' forms a sextile to Pluto at 21º Capricorn 16' on April 14th, 2018, for the second of three times in

Details

Jupiter forms a sextile to Pluto

Jupiter at 21º Scorpio 16′ forms a sextile to Pluto at 21º Capricorn 16′ on April 14th, 2018, for the second of three times in a set.

This transit generally favors business, the law, and commerce. We might enjoy increased influence, faith, and insight now. The desire for more personal significance can lead us to give of ourselves or motivate us to more ambitiously pursue personal or professional goals. The ability to sway or persuade can be enhanced now. One of the most positive uses of this transit is taking steps to better ourselves or to improve conditions. We might solve a problem that has been in existence for some time, or capitalize upon a resource that we overlooked in the past.

Time

Cafe Astrology

Cafe Astrology is brimming with free articles, features, interpretations, and tools that will appeal to people with a casual interest in learning Astrology, as well as beginning through advanced students of Astrology. The site is owned and run by astrologer Annie Heese. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use found here.